goepfrich



June 30, 1959l R. A. GOEPFRlcH Re. 24,664

` RESIUAL PRESSURE CHECK VALVE Original Filed Dec. 5, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN'TOR.

United States Patent tiee Re. 24,664 Reissued June 30, 1959 RESIDUAL PRESSURE CHECK VALVE Rudolph A. Goepfrich, South Bend, Ind., assigner to Bendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, 1nd., a corporation of Delaware Original No. 2,789,578, dated April 23, 1957, Serial No. 199,331, December 5, 1950. Application for reissue August 2, 1957, Serial No. 676,699

7 Claims. (Cl. 137-493.1)

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets I: Iappears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to a valve device of the type often referred to in the hydraulic brake art as a residual pressure check valve. Residual pressure check valves are double-acting valve devices which permit free flow of fluid from the master cylinder toward the wheel cylinders, but resist the return flow sufficiently to insure against a pressure drop in the lines which might draw air into the system.

Residual pressure check valves are being used in almost all of the hydraulic brake systems presently applied to road vehicles. The two types of check valves being manufactured are based on those disclosed in Bowen Patent No. 1,841,354 and Loweke Patent No. 1,985,936.

The general object of the present invention is to p-rovide an improved form of residual pressure check valve; one which is less expensive to manufacture than previously suggested designs, and which is also more reliable in operation than some of the earlier designs. For example, my improved check valve has fewer parts than the check valve disclosed in Patent No. 1,841,354, and it is more efficient than the check valve of Patent No. 1,985,936, because the rub-ber member provides a tighter seal and cannot, under any pressure surge, be dislodged from its engagement with the metal backing member.

The improved valve device consists of a rigid disk member and a resilient member stretched over the rigid member and gripping the periphery thereof, the resilient member serving the dual function of acting as a flap valve to control llud flow through the valve device and as a resilient seat-engaging surface to control uid flow around the valve device.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein an embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a master cylinder assembly provided with my improved check valve device;

Figure 2 is an enlargement of the portion of Figure 1 which shows the check valve device;

Figure 3 is an end view of the check valve device, as seen from the inside of the master cylinder, the coil spring being omitted;

Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views showing, respectively, the rigid member and the resilient member as separate elements prior to being assembled to constitute the check valve device; and

Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views illustrating the operation of the check valve device during the pressure stroke and return stroke of the master cylinder piston.

Ihe master cylinder illustrated in Figure 1 consists K of the usual casting having a cylinder bore 12 and a reservoir chamber 14. A piston 16, of conventional shape, is reciprocably mounted in bore 12. The head 18 of the piston carries a rubber sealing cup 20, and the skirt 22 of the piston carries a rubber sealing ring 24. A recess 26 is provided in the rear of the piston to receive an actuating rod.

The annular chamber 28 between the head and skirt of the piston is connected to reservoir chamber 14 through supply port 30, which remains open throughout the stroke of the piston. When the piston is in retracted position, as shown, the lip of cup 20 is just behind compensating port 32, which permits communication between reservoir chamber 14 and bore 12 ahead of the piston. When the piston moves forward on its pressure stroke, the lip of sealing cup 20 covers compensating port 32 to prevent pressure fluid from escaping to the reservoir.

In the illustrated arrangement, my improved check valve device is located at the front end of cylinder bore 12. An annular shoulder 34 provides a valve seat for the check valve device, which is located between the pressure chamber of the master cylinder and discharge port 36 connected to the wheel cylinders. Although the illustrated location is the preferred location of the check valve device, it could accomplish its purpose (at least partially) if i-t were located anywhere between the master cylinder piston and the wheel cylinder pistons, since it restricts the return flow of fluid in order to prevent leakage of air into the wheel cylinders. Where used in this specification and its associated claims, the term input end of the hydraulic system refers to that portion of the system in which pressure is developed by the master cylinder piston, and the term output end of the hydraulic system refers to that portion of the system in which pressure is applied to the wheel cylinder pistons.

The check valve device consists of two members, which are shown individually (prior to being assembled) in Figures 4 and 5. The member sho-wn in Figure 4 is a stamped metallic disk [having] that has been dished to provide a raised face and which in the present embodiment has a flat peripheral portion 38 and a spherical center portion 40. The member shown in Figure 5 is a rubber diaphragm member which is adapted to be stretched to tit over the metal disk. ln order to provide generalized names for each of the two members which will clearly distinguish them from one another without implying unnecessary limitations, I shall refer to the metal disk as a rigid member, and to the rubber diaphragm as a resilient member. The words rigid and resilien are used only to indicate the relative qualities of the two members which make possible their functional cooperation.

In assembling the check valve device, the rigid member is pressed into the open side of the resilient member, stretching the latter until it assumes the shape shown in Figure 1. The center portion '42 of the resilient member is stretched over the convex face of the spherical portion of the rigid member, and the annular outer portion 44 of the resilient member grips the periphery of the rigid member in the groove 46 provided between the front diaphragm portion of the resilient member and its folded-over rear flange 48. The check valve device is mounted in the master cylinder with its convex side facing the output end of the hydraulic system.

The annular surface 50 of the resilient member is urged into engagement with valve seat 34 by return spring 52, which also exerts a force tending to move p-iston 16 toward its retracted position. In order to facilitate assembling the master cylinder, the resilient member m-ay be provided with an integral rear lip 54, which grips the end coil of spring 52 when the check valve device is twisted onto the end of the spring. With feature, the" spring and check valve device can be handled as a sub-assembly.

The diaphragm portion 420i the resilient member has a central aperture56, and the spherical portion 4l) yif `'the rigid member has a plurality of 4apertures 58. The apertures 58 are all laterally (radially) spaced, for tifset, from the aperture 56, so that the diaphragm fportion of the resilient member normally covers and seals the vapertures 58. The 4tension in the portion of the resilient member which is stretched over the convex face Vofthe rigid member insures an efficient seal. v

`In operation, when piston 16 is moved on its pressure stroke; the fluid will passV through the small holes S in lie'meta'l disk and push the rubber diaphragm away from this disk so` that the tluid can pass out through the cenhole ,56 in the rubber diaphragm. tThe arrows in Figure 6 show the path of uid ow during the pressure stroke. l

Whenthe brake applying pressure is released, and piston 16 returns to its retracted position, duid will attempt to flow from the hydraulic lines back into the master cylinder. However, it will only be able to do so against the resistance of spring 52. Since the line pressure holds the rubber diaphragm against the metal disk, Huid can return to the master cylinder only by moving surface 50 @if the check valve device away from valve seat 34. The arrows in Figure 7 show the path of duid ow during the releasing stroke. In order to prevent the cylinder bore from being blocked if the rubber should swell, a plurality of notches 60 may be formed in the periphery of `the vresilient member. I e retention of a positive pressure in the brake lines during thereleasing stroke insures against leakage of air into the system. The check valve also prevents fluid from surging back to the reservoir when the vehicle is being driven on rough roads.

From the foregoing description, it is obvious that my check valve device is easy to manufacture and assemble. Furthermore, the resilient member is secured to the rigid member in ysuch a way that it cannot be accidentally forced into the hydraulic lines due to a surge of uid pressure. k

[Although a particular embodiment of my invention has been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the object of the invention may be attained by the use of constructions different in certain respects from that disclosed without departing from the underlying principles of the invention] While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise configurations, shapes, orL details of construction set forth above by way fillustration; as it Vis apparent that many changes and variations may be made thereto by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceedingv the scope of the appended claims.

l Havingthus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l ,y 1. For use in a master cylinder having a .discharge port and a valve seat between the discharge port and the interior of the master cylinder, `a double-acting y.valve devicecomprisin'g a metallic disk member having a dat peripheral portion and a spherical center portion, the onvex side of which faces toward the discharge port, a rubber diaphragm member havinga center portion stretched over the convex face of the'met'allic disk and an annular outer portion folded over the periphery of t'hevmeltallic disk to grip the diskand also to provide a resilient valve-seat-engaging surface, Ythe center portion fsfaiddiaphragm having Van aperture andthe center portionofls'aid'dsk having one or lincreapertures*which are rally,A spaced fromth'ediaphragn aperture coveredby the diaphragr'n exceptrwhenA itisfpilshed y .Y #emilie "dik lryflsd @swing @Werding discharge d', d'and a coil spring acting on the outer portion of the 4 d rubber member to urge it into engagement with the valve seat, said rubber member having an integral axiallyextending flange provided with a peripheral groove which receives the end coil of the spring.

2. For luse in a master cylinder having a discharge port and a valveseat between the discharge port and the interior of the 'master cylinder, a double-acting valve device comprising a rigid disk member having a at peripheraly portion and a spherical center portion, the convex side of which faces toward the discharge port, a resilient diaphragm member having a center portion stretchedl over the convex face of the rigid disk and an annular outer portion folded over (the periphery of` the rigid disk to grip the disk and also tolprovide a resilient valve-seat-enga'ging surface, ythe center portion of said diaphragm having an aperture and the center portionof said `disk having one or more uapertures which are laterally spaced from the diaphragm aperture and whichmare covered by the diaphragm except when it is pushed away from the disk by fluid flowing toward the discharge port, and a coil spring acting on the outer portion of the resilient member to urge it into engagement with the valve seat, said resilient member having an integral ange provided with a groove ywhich receives the end coil of the Spring. M3. `For use in a master cylinder having a discharge port and a valve seat between the discharge port and the interior of the master cylinder, a double-actingvalye device comprising a rigid disk member having a [hat] peripheral edge [portion] and [a spherical] one face whose center portion is raised from said peripheral edge and the [convex] raised [side] face of which faces toward the discharge port, a resilient diaphragm member having a center portion stretched over the [convex] raised face of the rigid disk and an annular outer portion folded over the periphery of the rigid disk to grip the disk and also to provide a resilient valve-seatdengaging surface, said folded over portion having a preformed groove for receiving said peripheral edge of said disk member and a radially inwardly extending flange preformed with sufficient body to grip the side of said disk member opposite from its raised face and thereby hold said diaphragm member stretched upon said disk member, the center portion of said diaphragm having an aperture and the center portion of said disk having an aperture which is Vlaterally spaced from the diaphragm aperture and which is covered by the diaphragm except when it is pushed away from the disk by uid flowing toward the discharge port, [and a spring acting on the resilient member to urge it] resilient means urging said doubleactng valve device into engagement with the valve seat and the radially outer surface of said folded over portion having a plurality of preformed spaced radial projections which guide said double-acting valve device and permit passage of fluid from said valve seat pas! the radially outer edge of said diaphragm member.

4. For use in a uid pressure transmitting system, a double-acting valve device comprising an annular valve seat[,] and a movable valve member comprising: a rigid disk member having a [dat] peripheral edge [portion] and a [spherical] raised center portion generally inclined to said peripheral edge, the [convex]`raised side of which faces toward the output end of the system, a resilient diaphragm member having a center portion stretched over the [convex] raised face of the rigid disk and an annular outer portion folded over the periphery of the rigid disk to grip the disk and also toprovide a resilient valve-seat-engaging surface,`sad folded over portion having a preformed groove for receiving said peripheral edge of said disk member and a radially inwardly extending flange preformed with sufficient body to grip the side of said disk member opposite. from .its raised face and thereby hold said diaphragm kmember stretched upon said disk member, thecenter portion of saidy diaphragmhaving an aperture and the center portion of said disk having an aperture which is laterally spaced from the diaphragm aperture and which is covered by the diaphragm except when it is pushed away from the disk by fluid flowing from the input end of the system toward the output end of the system, [and] spring means [for] urging the [resilient] movable valve member into engagement with the valve seat[.], and the radially outer surface of said folded over portion having a plurality of preformed spaced radial projections which guide said double-acting valve device and permit passage of fluid from said valve seat past the radially outer edge of said diaphragm member.

5. A double-acting valve device comprising an annular valve seat, and a movable valve member comprising: a rigid member [having a flat peripheral portion and a spherical center portion] that is dished in the direction towards said valve seat, a resilient member having a center portion stretched over the [convex] raised face of the rigid member and an annular outer portion folded over the periphery of the rigid member to grip the latter and hold the resilient member in stretched condition and also to provide a resilient valve-seat-engaging surface, said fOlded over portion having a preformed groove for receiving the peripheral edge of said disk member and a radially inwardly extending flange preformed with sufficient body to grip the side of said disk member opposite from its raised face and thereby hold said diaphragm member stretched upon said disk member, the resilient member and the rigid member having oiset apertures which permit uid ow through the valve device in one direction only, [and] spring means for urging the annular outer portion of the resilient member into engagement with the valve seat[.], and the radially outer surface of said folded over portion having a plurality of preformed spaced radial projections which guide said doubleacting valve device and permit passage of fluid from said valve seat past the radially outer edge of said diaphragm member.

6. For use in a master cylinder having a discharge port and a valve seat between the discharge port and the interior of the master cylinder, a double-acting valve device comprising a rigid disk mem-ber having a hat peripheral portion and a [spherical] raised center portion, a resilient diaphragm member having a center portion ltting over the [convex] raised face of the rigid disk and an annular outer portion folded over the periphery of the rigid disk to grip the disk and also to provide a resilient valve-seat-engaging surface, said folded over portion having a preformed groove for receiving said peripheral portion of said disk member and a radially inwardly extending flange preformed with sufficient body to grip the side of said disk member opposite from its raised face and thereby hold said diaphragm member stretched upOn said disk member, [and] a spring [positioned on the resilient member to urge it] urging said double-acting valve device into engagement with the valve Seat[.], and the radially outer surface of said folded over portion having a plurality of preformed spaced radial projections which guide said double-acting valve device and permit passage of fluid from said valve seat past the radially outer edge 0f said diaphragm member.

7. A double-acting valve device comprising an annular valve seat, a rigid disk member [having a at peripheral portion and a spherical center portion] that is dished to provide a spherically shaped convex face, a resilient memlber having a center portion stretched over the convex face of the rigid member and an annular portion folded over the periphery of the rigid disk to retain said resilient member in :stretched position, said folded over portion having a preformed groove for receiving the periphery of said disk member and a radially inwardly extending fiange preformed with sucient body to grip the side of said disk member opposite from its cOnvex face and thereby hold said diaphragm member stretched upon said disk member, the resilient member and the rigid member having offset apertures which permit iluid ow through the valve device in one direction only, and spring means [positioned on said resilient member for] operatively urging the annular outer portion of the resilient member into engagement with the valve seat[.], and the radially outer surface of said folded over portion having a plurality of preformed spaced radial projections which guide the assembly of said disk and resilient members and permit passage of fluid from said valve seat past the radially outer edge of said resilient member.

References Cited in the le of this patent or the original patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 783,610 Chaplin Feb. 28, 1905 1,423,923 Eckert July 25, 1922 1,800,066 Glass Apr. 7, 1931 1,885,121 Loweke Nov. 1, 1932 2,133,575 Rosenberg Oct. 18, 1938 2,376,712 Moran May 22, 1945 2,528,796 Smith Nov. 7, 1950 2,580,455 Myers Jan. 1, 1952 2,640,481 Conley June 2, 1953 

